Biden Clarifies ‘Garbage’ Remarks After Trump Supporter Backlash Before Election

President Joe Biden recently found himself in hot water after labeling Donald Trump supporters as “garbage,” leading to significant backlash, especially from Trump’s base, as the 2024 campaign nears its end. In an attempt to clarify his earlier remarks, Biden spoke during a video call with the non-profit organization Voto Latino, stating, “Earlier today, I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage.” He elaborated, “It was the only word I could think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I meant to convey. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”

Initially, Biden’s comments stemmed from a controversial stand-up routine by comic Tony Hinchcliffe during a Trump rally on October 27, where Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage.” In response to this, Biden had remarked, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” Later, a transcript from the White House indicated he was emphasizing Trump’s harmful rhetoric: “The only garbage I see floating out there is [Trump’s] supporters… his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.”

During a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was quick to clarify, stating, “Just to clarify, he was not calling Trump supporters garbage… He does not view Trump supporters or anybody who supports Trump as garbage.” Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to distance herself from Biden’s statements, expressing her disagreement with any negative comments about individuals based on their voting choices.

Trump himself seized the opportunity to speak on Biden’s remarks at a rally in North Carolina, claiming they were “worse” than Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment from 2016. Trump told the crowd, “You know what’s worse than anything? Garbage. We’re garbage,” while simultaneously praising his supporters as the “heart and soul of America.”

As tensions escalate, vocal Trump supporters have taken to social media to galvanize support ahead of the upcoming elections, capitalizing on Biden’s controversial remarks. Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, took to social media to express outrage, stating, “A mother mourning her son who died of a fentanyl overdose is not garbage. A truck driver who can’t afford rising diesel prices is not garbage. A father who wants to afford groceries is not garbage. Kamala Harris and Joe Biden ought to be ashamed of themselves.” The growing sentiment among Trump supporters is one of frustration, as many feel disrespected by the comments of Democratic leaders.

As the election approaches, the impact of Biden’s words remains to be seen, with many eagerly awaiting the results come November 5.